BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Seanez Says He Is Up to the Challenge

His fastball has become almost legendary, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from being demoted last season.

“I’ve seen them all, from Nolan Ryan to Sandy Koufax,” Dodger scout Mel Didier said, “but Rudy Seanez is the only pitcher I’ve had at 100 mph on my [speed] gun in all of my years at baseball. Oh, I’ve seen plenty of guys who had great fastballs, guys throwing 97 and 98 mph, but never 100, and Seanez did it twice.

“How can anyone give up on an arm like that?”

The Dodgers gave Seanez a two-year, $1-million contract a year ago. It’s his contract, guaranteeing him $650,000 this season, that should provide Seanez a spot in the bullpen if it’s a close call.

“This is a huge spring for me,” Seanez said. “I’m 27 now, and they’re going to want to see me pitch, and pitch well. I need to re-establish myself and show them that I can throw strikes.

“I have to come out and show that I have I’ve regained my confidence. Then I have to regain theirs.”

Last season, Seanez went from closer to setup man to middle reliever and then to the minors, passing through waivers without anyone showing interest.

“To be honest, when we gave Rudy that contract, we didn’t anticipate [sending him to the minors],” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “Now he has to regain his status.”

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The Dodgers have given all-star right fielder Raul Mondesi two days to decide whether he’ll accept a one-year contract for about $900,000, a two-year deal with an option that guarantees about $3.5 million, or a three-year deal worth about $6.2 million. . . . Center fielder Brett Butler, playing his first intrasquad game of the spring, was unsuccessful in his first two bunt attempts but then homered over the right-field fence. “[Catcher] Tom Prince yelled at me, ‘Hey, you’re supposed to bunt that ball,’ ” Butler said. . . . Pitcher Mike Harkey, vying for a spot in the rotation or bullpen, was roughed up in his first outing, diminishing his chances of making the team. . . . Shortstop Greg Gagne went three for three with a two-run double in the game.